PUBLIC SERVANTS CONFER

Hokitika Guardian, 20 August 1925, Page 4

PUBLIC SERVANTS CONFER

— RELATIONS WITH GOVERNMENT. [I,Y TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, August IS. The annual conference of the Public Servants’ Association was opened to-day by the Prime -Minister. The President (Mr R. Sine!) introducing .Mr Coates, declared that the policy of the Association, while maintaining the lights and privileges of its members, was quite reasonable it its attitude. They had not hitherto, nor would they in future, adopt methods that might be trmed unconstitutional. They would press their just claims in a reasonable manner. Mr Coates said lie hoped that the coiifereiiee would lead to a still hotter understanding between the Association and the Government. They were, of cuur.se, under the control oi the Public Service Commissioners, and personally, he had not much experience with the Departments under that control. but so far as lie had seen, 1110 work had been good. Indeed, the excellent organisation ot the Public Service Commissioner’s office was one they should he proud ot. Mr Coates said the Public Service was one of which we could indeed bo proud. It was above graft or anything of that kind, and it was strictly holiest. It was by these qualities that it had earned the good name it possesses. The Government was [dodged to keep the public service free front political control, and that principle of the Public Sort ice Acl should be maintained. So far as political control was concerned, lie bad not seen -anything of that kind, and so far as the service was concerned, the principle ol that Act would be maintained. Mr Coates referred to the relatively high educational standard in the service, also to the added inducement to officers in the prospect of being scut overseas In gain exnerieiiee and inforination. So far this had applied to professional matters, but he hoped to extend the principle to cover matters ol engineering and so forth. I fie Association would lie interested to know what was proposed in connection with the retirement after It) years' service, a general principle he stood bv. That- was lie cause it gave young men an incentive to get ahead by preventing a block in the higher positions. In quite a liutiielir of departments it would lie difficult, to carry out the -111 years’ principle, especially in regard to positions which required high technical qualifications, which would be unwise to overlook. The general principle he agreed with, lie referred to (be appointment of Sir Trubv King in regard to the mental hospital system as an example of what he menat. The welfare of the country as a whole should he considered and there must be exceptions at times in the interests ol the country to the general rule for retirement after -I0 years’ service. Li regard to superanmial ion. Mr Coates said that provision would he made in the Finance Act for calculation of tin' allowances for mental hospital employees. on the gross instead of the net salaries. Provision would also he made in regard to widows’ pensions bringing them up to C3I.